Estonia supports improving the situation of children in Ukraine and ensuring health care

12.03.2015

The Foreign Ministry is allocating 50 000 euros to the World Health Organization (WHO) and 50 000 euros to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) to help alleviate the situation of victims of the conflict in Ukraine and the situation of internally displaced persons.

Foreign Minister Keit Pentus-Rosimannus said that the number of internally displaced persons in eastern Ukraine has increased due to the deteriorating security situation. "There are over half a million internal displaced refugees in Ukraine," she said. "We must commit to help alleviate the situation of internally displaced persons and to ensure that they have access to clean water, education, health care and other essentials of life," Pentus-Rosimannus said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is heading humanitarian activities in the field of health care in Ukraine. The treatment of certain diseases (tuberculosis, chronic diseases, diabetes, renal failure) and vaccination programs are only partially guaranteed due to a lack of medicines and medical supplies. There is an increased need for medical services and equipment both in the conflict region, as well in areas were help is being offered to internal refugees. In addition, in cooperation with the Ukrainian Red Cross, the Ministry of Health and local authorities and health institutions, WHO plans to create mobile medical units in eastern Ukraine.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in leading humanitarian activities in the fields of education, water and sanitation in Ukraine. The main goal is to help children continue their education. There is also a great need for sanitary products and disinfectants. In some areas, there is an urgent need to ensure regular access to high-quality drinking water.

With the given allocation, Estonia would like to support the humanitarian activities of WHO and UNICEF in Ukraine, which contribute to helping victims and people who have been forced to leave their homes and to ensure that they have the necessities for everyday life. In total, the Foreign Ministry has supported Ukraine with nearly one million euros this year.